As someone directly involved in Jeffco Public Schools, I am astounded at arguments opposing the 3A and 3B mill-levy override and bond. Public documents show 3A and 3B will not be a windfall for Jeffco schools; they will only partially shore up past losses.

Jeffco continually improves the education it delivers, which raises the value of our community. The “test scores” are rising, but I have also seen changes in actual classrooms. Jeffco has focused its budget on the children, and results are great, despite cutting spending to the bone. Without 3A and 3B, our excellent teachers and students face unnecessary obstacles.

Maybe a table can stand while missing a leg, or even two if it’s leaning against a wall. But just because it’s possible doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to saw off a table’s legs. And Jeffco schools can best serve our kids and communities without another $45 million in cuts.

According to the Colorado Legislative Council’s revenue forecast, dated Sept. 20, the fiscal year 2012-13 General Fund will have “enough revenue to transfer an estimated $678.5 million to the State Education Fund” by the end of 2012. Based on the formula from the Colorado School Finance Act, Jeffco Schools should receive up to $62 million of those funds.

Jeffco ballot initiative 3A calls for a $39 million permanent property tax increase, which makes zero sense for FY 2012-13, given this latest news. Jeffco ballot issue 3B is a bond issue that allows the district to borrow $99 million with a repayment cost of up to $195 million. Jeffco’s current bonded debt (before Initiative 3B) is more than $453 million with a “remaining total repayment cost” of more than $621 million. Jeffco Public Schools can apply the remaining $23 million (of the $62 million) to many of the capital expenditures that would have been paid for with the 3B bond initiative.

So, with the estimated $62 million to be transferred to Jeffco Public Schools, I believe that the $39 million tax increase for 3A is no longer necessary. Vote “no” on Jefferson County ballot issues 3A and 3B.

S. Klein, Evergreen

This letter was published in the Oct. 26 edition.

The outstanding academic achievements of Jefferson County schools are a matter of record. When I review these results, I am encouraged not only for the future of Jefferson County, but also for our nation.

However, let me approach this as a former mayor. In spite of our reputation as a very dynamic city, I would always say that no matter what we do in making Lakewood a great place to live, work or play, it does not mean a thing unless we continue to have great schools. Given a choice, families with children will always want to live where the best schools are located.

If families want to live in our community, they will contribute to the vitality of our city which usually causes more demand for housing which helps maintain property values.

Let’s keep Jefferson County a great place to live, work and play.

Steve Burkholder, Lakewood

The writer was mayor of Lakewood from 1999-2007.

This letter was published in the Oct. 26 edition.

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It is understandable that we are upset whenever any U.S. citizen is killed by a foreign attack. The Republican attack on the Obama administration for the consulate killings in Libya goes beyond reasonable concern and descends into crass political opportunism.

In the wake of the nation’s biggest loss of life due to terrorism on Sept. 11, 2001, the country rallied together with none of this current finger-pointing. If either political party had engaged in this level of criticism after 9/11, the Bush administration would have been castigated as the worst protector of the country in our history. If the Republicans are so concerned about our national security, they should have been more critical 11 years ago.

The truth is that we were all in it together back then and we are still in it together; it’s time to act like it.

Greg Wright, Castle Rock

This letter was published in the Oct. 26 edition.

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Thank you to Edward Wasserman for putting in writing what I have been wondering about since this campaign began. How can we believe the media corporations that do the “truth tests” on political ads? The very corporations that pay for the ads that fill the TV coffers with billions of dollars are doing the fact checking? Right.

Becky Roberts, Watkins

This letter was published in the Oct. 26 edition.

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A major challenge for the University of Colorado Board of Regents is the rapidly dwindling amount of funding from the state. With such funding already down more than 30 percent over the past few years, local and national studies have said Colorado may be the first state to completely run out of money for higher education.

The regents are the “board of directors” for the University of Colorado’s $2.8 billion operation. Forty percent of that comes from health care services and medical research on the Anschutz Medical Campus. It holds dozens of patents and innovations. It has given birth to dozens of companies, further contributing to Colorado’s economy.

At this critical time, we need a regent who is both a physician and understands business. Dr. Brian Davidson is a graduate of CU with both M.D. and MBA degrees. Dr. Davidson is a coalition builder who has the unique ability to bring people together to deal with the critical issues facing us.

Your vote for Dr. Brian Davidson is a vote for a positive direction for CU and Colorado.

Norwood Robb, Centennial

The writer is a former CU regent.

This letter was published in the Oct. 26 edition.

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Once again a male Republican lawmaker, emboldened by his party’s platform on rape, has made an outrageous statement regarding women and rape. This time, Indiana Republican Senate candidate Richard Mourdock said that when a woman is impregnated during a rape, that “It’s something God intended.”

Electing Republicans who espouse views like Mourdock’s would be a tragedy for all Americans, as these politicians represent the epitome of ignorance and backward thinking concerning the criminal act of rape.

Ralph Roberts, Littleton

This letter was published in the Oct. 26 edition.

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It’s been a number of years since I raked leaves — and I haven’t missed it a bit. Instead, running the mower over the lawn a few times on mulch setting takes care of the chore. The leaf clippings settle into the lawn and decompose over the winter. In the spring, voila — free fertilizer! With Mother Nature supplying free fertilizer, why rake it, bag it and discard it?

Fred Knauke, Denver

This letter was published in the Oct. 26 edition.

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Guidelines: The Post welcomes letters up to 150 words on topics of general interest. Letters must include full name, home address, day and evening phone numbers, and may be edited for length, grammar and accuracy.